The Ethiopian national team was held to a frustrating goalless draw at the Bahirdar Stadium in the first leg of the Qatar 2022 preliminary qualifiers encounter with Lesotho.
With a stadium filled to rafters, the Bahir Dar inhabitants packed the stadium in support of their national team with a very colorful atmosphere they once again showed their passion for football.
Ethiopian national team enjoying a greater share of the ball throughout the entire 90 minutes but failed to capitalize it with creating clear goal scoring chances. meanwhile the visitors were playing a safety-first brand of football which was fruitful at the end as they secured a much needed goalless draw away from home.
The Ethiopians were the first to register attempts on goal as Omod Okuri and Yared Bayeh’s attempt went just wide and were awarded consecutive corner kicks for their domination.
The host visited the Ethiopian box twice on the 15th & 17th minute in both occasion Ethiopia’s goalie Jemal Tassew who return to the national team after years of absence was to the rescue.
The home side was closing on opening the score in the latter stages of the first half through attempts from Amanuel G/Michael and Mujib Qassim but luck was not on their side, and also the closest was an attempted clearance from Lesotho defender rattling the upright.
The first half ended 0-0, after the restart the disparity continued in a similar fashion but chances were far and few.
The Ethiopian national team playing with the high line were seen creating few chances, Ethiopia’s head coach Abraham also introduced the likes of Addis Gidey, Kennean Markneh, and Mesfin Tafesse to boost their attacking intent but nothing changed.
The inviting return leg will be held on Sunday as both sides will battle it to book a place in the next round.
©Soccer Ethiopia
